Today we begin our look at Jerry Bridges' book, Respectable Saints, one chapter at a time. Twice a week (at least that's our plan!) we will summarize a chapter and offer some reflections as well.
On an introductory note, I'd like to mention that this looks like an excellent book. I think it will be used for years to come in contexts like this, as a resource for Christian growth and discussion. This is because once we get on the path of following Jesus, it's not long before we realize that "big" sins really are just the flowering of "little" ones. I think for example of James 4:1-4.
For his part, Jerry Bridges says he wrote the book "from a growing conviction that...conservative evangelicals may have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more 'refined' or subtle sins" (p.9).
And so with these things in mind, let's dig in...
Respectable Sins, Chapter One: Ordinary Saints
In the first chapter, Bridges reminds us that the Bible calls all believers "saints" while also saying we are "called to be saints." In other words, our relationship with God is secure (we are "set apart" for him) but we must learn to live like it. I think of the Apostle Paul who frequently said, "Walk worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Bridges illustrates this with an expression from the U.S. Navy: "conduct unbecoming an officer." Do we exhibit conduct unbecoming a saint?
Since we live in a Navy town, and I've driven through other military towns recently, this made me think of another illustration. And I think this illustration points to the reason we're reading this book:
In the U.S., we respect our men and women in uniform. We respect them because their vocation is on our behalf, and also because they conduct themselves with discipline. They stand out to us in the airport because they're not slouching about with earphones but walking uprightly, carrying themselves with confidence and quietly commanding respect.
But suppose you move into a military town, and you live among military families in your neighborhood. Now you see these families behind the scenes, when the uniform is not on, at the grocery store, with their kids, off hours, etc. Now you're going to have a closer look. And what do you find? Are they good neighbors? Do they command respect, or do you avoid them? Are you concerned for their kids? Are they friendly?
Of course military men and women come in all stripes. Some engage in "conduct unbecoming an officer" and some are exemplary. But think about this now in terms of how outsiders view Christians. From a distance, Christians seem to be good citizens - promoting family values, doing something safe on Sunday mornings, avoiding really big sins like murder and embezzling and acts of terrorism. But what happens when people get closer to us? What do they see? Do they see anxiety, discontentment, selfishness, and irritability?
These are the kinds of subjects addressed in this book. But first the big picture is examined (in chapters 1-6): the Bible's teaching concerning sin, how to deal with it, and experiencing the powerful change that God brings in our life--not making us perfect yet, but moving us to become more like the Lord we follow.
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4 comments:
I liked how Bridges distinguished between the biblical meaning of "saint" and what the word has come to mean today. Paul uses it as a state of being rather than as a character trait.
Paul also uses the word not in a sense of sainthood being something we strive for or earn, but something believers are because we are set apart by God.
Because of this reality, Bridges says, "the awareness of the internal struggle with sin should never be used as an excuse for sinful behavior. Rather, we should always keep in mind that we are saints called to live a life that is set apart for God."
I appreciate his analogy between saints for God and military personnel for the military. I find myself actually feeling 'set apart,' and it kind of brings the bible into a whole new light--it is a "textbook" for the saint. Those who are not saints will find no use for it. Now I better understand why some argue that church services should be addressed to believers and not unbelievers. But, doesn't God use the bible to bring people to Him?
Once signed up for service, we're to follow our leaders, right? No dishonorable discharge! But ultimately this should bring us joy.
Anonymous #1, that's a good question. I think the answer is, in part, that the Bible is indeed the "textbook" for the saint -- but it is also much more! It is a "missionary manual" for the saint, as almost all the books of the NT had a missionary focus - written to bring people to faith (Gospel of John) or to build up newly planted churches (epistles).
Furthermore, the Bible is also the story of God's work of redemption through history. The events, promises, and drama of it all.
All of this has application to unbelievers.
What's also interesting - and Jerry Bridges is first to bring this out in his various books - is that believers and unbelievers both need the same thing: the gospel! Whether applied to our initial salvation or to our growth in faith, the basic gospel message is always at the root of it. My favorite verse about this is Colossians 2:6 - "As you have received Jesus Christ as Lord, so walk in Him."
If we preach right, the message should help reach the lost and also build up believers in their faith.
Thanks for the thoughts. Sorry to be so lengthy.
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